Modern Anniversary Gifts

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Happy 50th anniversary to you, reader! You’ve weathered five decades of wedded bliss and come out all the better for it, brimming, we’re sure, with words of wisdom on life, love, and what partnership really means. But enough of all that. It’s time for gifts! Gold, as you most likely know, is both the traditional and modern material of choice to celebrate year 50 of your marriage, and, as usual, we’ve plunged deep into the Olympic-sized pool that is our assortment in search of the ten most exciting items in which it appears. Read on for our finds, which include plenty of jewelry, plus glassware and… a nightlight? You read that right.

It’s your 40th anniversary, and that means it’s high time for us to cover yet another material that both traditional and modern gift-givers can somehow agree upon. This go-round, it’s ruby, a precious stone known for its blood red color, and we’ve run with that distinction, picking out ten of the best and brightest crimson items in our assortment to mark the occasion. What can we say? We don’t sell ten different types of rubies, but we do sell a whole lotta cool red jewelry, glassware, and wall art. Plus, there is one real ruby in here. Read on for more.

Did you hear? In honor of your 25th anniversary, the traditional and modern anniversary gift lists have laid down their arms and signed, at long last, a peace treaty, meaning that for once they agree on what you’re supposed to give: silver. On a serious note, congratulations on a full 25 years of wedded bliss! A quarter-century of togetherness is nothing to shake a stick at, and you should be proud of your collective achievement. To celebrate, we here at UG sifted through our vast assortment of goodies and picked out ten of our favorite silver items, which range from solid sterling animals to fully customized pairs of cufflinks. Check each of ’em out below.

Give us a two! Give us a zero! What’s that? Two-zero, otherwise known as 20! Congrats on making it through two decades of partnership, complete with highs and lows. How, according to tradition, should we celebrate your 20th anniversary? With gifts made from china, of course. We scoured the depths of UncommonGoods for our finest porcelain offerings, coming up with ten favorites that cover a good chunk of ground, from geometric serving sets to Zen-inspired decor. Read on for our top picks, plus one item featuring this year’s modern material, platinum.

Congratulations! Together, the two of you have weathered a decade, and it’s time to celebrate in style. This year, the traditional list gets a little elemental, highlighting two oft-overlooked metals, tin and aluminum. But don’t settle for a roll of foil or a DVD copy of 1996 Kevin Costner rom-com Tin Cup—have a look at our top ten picks to celebrate your ten years instead, and discover a world of metallic goodies, from reclaimed cookbook stands to matching bracelets to centuries-old games redesigned. And worry not, modern friends; we haven’t forgotten you. With diamond jewelry your designated gift, you’re bringing the bling for the first time this year—and our pick will help you get a little personal, too.

Ah, year nine—merely 12 months away from year 10! It’s a milestone in its own right, and one you deserve to celebrate in style. Tradition dictates that willow, the material most often used to craft wicker, is the gift to give for your ninth anniversary, but… well… we don’t sell a lot of willow, and we fudged it a little. Luckily, we’ve got plenty of woven wares on offer, from handcrafted baskets that symbolize friendship to edamame grow kits that come with wicker bowls to bread-warming blankets that aren’t made of wicker at all, but sure do look like it. Read on for our top ten willow-inspired picks, plus, as always, one modern gift, this time a reprise of (vegan) leather.

As you inch ever closer to your tenth anniversary, the gifts you’re giving start to seem a little more permanent. From delicate paper and cotton wares in years one and two, you’ve graduated to materials with some heft, at least on the traditional side of things. Consider the options with which you’re presented to honor your eighth anniversary. Bronze? Pretty sturdy. Pottery? Breakable, sure, but only if you make a grave mistake and, say, trip and fall while carrying your prized llama mug—otherwise, the stuff tends to stand up pretty well. Modernists, meanwhile, are faced with linen and lace for their eighth anniversary—both fine materials that speak to the strength of your bond. Read on for ten of our most uncommon takes on both bronze and pottery, from virtually indestructible “candles” to nostalgic handmade keepsakes, plus: one heartfelt lacy find.

The seventh anniversary, some may say, has a little something for everyone. With sturdy copper and fluffy wool both granted a spot on the traditional list for the year, lovers of shiny metals and soft stuff alike will be easy to please. Luckily, both wool and copper are versatile materials, finding their way into craft kits, decorative bowls, and comfy pillows alike, making it easy to find something to please every type of spouse, from do-it-yourself lovers to seasoned interior decorators. Meanwhile, devotees of the modern list will find it’s a great year to be a worker bee, with desk sets granted the coveted seventh spot. Read on for ten of our top traditional picks—five copper, five wool—plus a desk set that packs some serious personal punch.

The Goods is more than a place to see our products. We’re here to tell the stories behind and beyond what we sell. When you visit our blog, you’ll meet artists, discover uncommon knowledge, immerse yourself in creative design, and get to know the people who keep UncommonGoods going strong.